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“We’re having a dinner party at Devonshire House next week. I’ll get Georgiana to put you on the guest list. Do come. Half the people will be friends of my wife and the Prince of Wales, but I assure you I’ve invited some intelligent people too. James Wyatt, the architect, and Pope, the writer-philosopher fellow. I could invite Warren Hastings, the ex-Governor from India, if you like.”
“I already know two of those gentlemen. Wyatt has designed a house for me in Gravesend that I haven’t even seen yet.”
“That’s where I heard your name, of course!” Devonshire said, thoroughly pleased with making his acquaintance.
“It will be my pleasure to come,” Adam accepted. “By then I should be in possession of more civilized attire.”
Savage did not return to the house in Curzon Street until it was time for dinner. Upstairs, both John Bull and Kirinda met him with woebegone looks. They had laid out fresh linen for him, but felt shame that the master would have to wash with water in a jug and bowl.
“What is amiss?” he asked John Bull.
“I have two terrible things to relate that will greatly disturb you, Excellency. The servant girl has lice. I would not let Kirinda go downstairs for fear of contamination.”
“How did you discover this, John Bull?”
“She told me herself. She said that was why she covered her hair with that hideous cap.”
Savage assumed he’d again gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick and asked calmly, “And the other thing that will disturb me?”
“The pig woman ate Rupee!” he blurted.
Savage bit his lip to keep from laughing. Though Mrs. Hogg was likely guilty of greed, he doubted the scrawny mynah had whetted her appetite. “I take it you did not integrate well with the staff,” he said dryly. He looked at Kirinda. “Have you eaten today?”
She lowered black lashes over liquid eyes and shook her head.
Savage knew there was absolutely no point in castigating John Bull. The stubborn Tamil would have fasted a month before he would have lost face, and poor Kirinda would not even be considered.
“In that case, shall we go down to dinner?”
“Whether we are in Ceylon or England, it is unacceptable for us to dine with you, master.”
“Since you insist I am your master, you must obey my orders, and I order that we go down to dinner, John Bull.”
“Yes, Excellency,” he replied, chastized.
In the dining room Savage said to Fenton, “Would you inform Mrs. Hogg there will be three for dinner?” He held Kirinda’s chair and bade John Bull be seated.
Mrs. Hogg bustled out and almost dropped the soup tureen when she saw she would have to serve Savage’s servants. The grim line of her mouth showed her resentment.
In a silken drawl Savage said, “Mrs. Hogg, I should like to apologize for leaving my mynah bird in your hall. I had no idea you would take exception. Kindly remove it to my chamber.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied.
“Also, Mrs. Hogg,” he drawled, “I profusely apologize if John Bull addressed you as pig woman. He meant no disrespect, I assure you. It was simply a mixup of language.”
“Apology accepted.” Mrs. Hogg bridled, casting a scornful look in the servant’s direction.
Savage’s next words dropped like icicles. “Now it is your turn.”
As she looked into his icy blue eyes a shiver ran down her spine. “My turn?” she questioned.
“Yes, your turn. You will apologize for your disgraceful treatment of this man and woman. You left them without food and drink all day, simply because the color of their skin is different from yours.”
Mrs. Hogg’s face turned motley purple. “I apologize,” she muttered, having little choice.
Savage’s silky voice returned, but his blue eyes remained glacial. “Mrs. Hogg, if what I smell coming from your kitchen is turnips, I suggest you save them for your own delectation and serve us something a little more appetizing.”
Mrs. Hogg thwarted was not a pretty sight. She disappeared into her sanctum and did not return. In a few moments Dora appeared to serve them dinner. Three pairs of eyes converged upon her cap. It was lace. Adam Savage’s eyes brimmed with amusement. “Very pretty,” he murmured, watching the corners of her mouth turn up with pleasure.
